Long before Under the Dome , this novel of a town trapped within an invisible force field earned a Nebula Award nomination for the author of Way Station . Nothing much ever happens in Millville, a... This description may be from another edition of this product.
Books starts strong, get's weird, ends weirder. It was definitely a different and creative sci-fi story. I can't compare it to hardly anything else because it really is a very unique read. Left me shaking my head a bit at the end. I may be wrong but it makes me wonder if the author couldn't figure out how to end the book, because the punchline was really out there and didn't seem to follow the flavor of the story in the slightest. But maybe I'm not hippy-dippy enough for a book from that era.
A neat idea - botanical 'aliens'
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
I found this paperback where I get most of the classic sci-fi of the 1950s, 60s and 70s: in a used bookstore (in this case for $1). Knowing Simak's reputation, I took a chance (with my dollar) and wasn't disappointed. The idea of aliens coming in the guise of innocent-looking plant life was a cool concept and the story line was a lot of fun. Not any high-tech stuff here, but perhaps that is why this book endures and does not seem outdated. Simak writes in simple, declarative sentences and the structure of his work is logical and easy to read (Asimov says in a chapter in his own autobiography,'I Asimov', that he tried to emulate Simak). Definitely worth a read if you can find it.
A spell binding journey to rural Wisconsin and worlds beyond
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 26 years ago
A classic Clifford D. Simak, small town middle America is the back drop to an other worldly tale of unparalleled originality. A griping read that thrusts you into the action right from the very first paragraph. Simak has a unique ability to have you turning the pages all night without ever loosing the relaxed atmosphere only he can create. This is a first contact story like no other, no other writer has created so alien aliens which at the same time are so familiar. But the real triumph of this book is the manner in which Simak is able to bring all the characters of small town America to life in such a believable manner. Like many of Simak's books the story is the story of a beginning and leaves you crying out for more and with many questions. This among other things make this book live on long in your imagination. A treat not to be missed.
The strange emerges from the familiar
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 27 years ago
This isn't a bad book, but the ending for me was very unsatisfactory. It's as though the author just stopped writing. Little is resolved. On the whole, though, the book is rich and beautifully written. Again, Simak takes American small town life and fills it with strangeness and wonder. Originality is so apparent-- in so many ways. For instance, who could imagine that some flowers growing by the roadside, transplanted into the garden by an old man, become a window to communicate with the stars? Read it, you'll enjoy it. And you may wish, like me, that it had a better ending.
A study in excellence!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 27 years ago
Thre IS no author, alive, or dead that can sufficiently portray the otherworldliness of almost ANY SIMAK book; He is a genius of the alternate universe, with absolutely no peers whatsoever!
ThriftBooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices. We personally assess every book's quality and offer rare, out-of-print treasures. We deliver the joy of reading in recyclable packaging with free standard shipping on US orders over $15. ThriftBooks.com. Read more. Spend less.